Defining our terms

A reader wrote to me to ask me to explain some of the terminology used on this blog. They were confused not only by the Hebrew, but also by the very word "polygamy." So, here is a short explanation of the terms used here.

First of all, I only use the proper name of our creator. His proper name is used nearly 8,000 times in the Tanak (Hebrew Scriptures consisting of the Torah, the prophets and the writings commonly incorrectly called by Christians "The Old Testament") Yet His name is hidden in almost all English translations by the title "LORD" or the pagan word "God." It is the Hebrew letters Yud, Hey, Vav and Hey and is pronounced "Yahuwah." Sometimes on this blog I express it as YHWH (to stand for the Hebrew letters) and in scriptural references in the Hebrew as יהוה


Also, when manifested in flesh, I do not use the pagan name "Jesus" instead I use the name that He was called while on earth and the ONLY name that can bring salvation "Yahushua" or יהושע

Most Scriptural references come from either the RSTNE or The Scriptures. Both translations use the original Hebrew names (as I attempt to do throughout this blog). These translations are used except where otherwise stated. In the event of any cross-postings by other authors, I shall take the liberty to correct any other forms used. Thus, I shall consistently use the original Hebrew names of other people mentioned in Scripture. (i.e. "Avraham" = "Abraham"; "Ya'akov" = "Jacob" etc.

The word "polygamy" as used in this blog means "Scriptural polygamy" (except where otherwise stated). Please do not confuse this with Mormonism, Islam, or some "free sex" group. It simply means one man married to more than one woman. The word itself means "many marriages" or more correctly "plural marriages." This is what I mean when I say "polygamy" - One man in a "one flesh" marital covenant with more than one woman.

Some prefer the use of the word "polygyny" so as to distinguish from polyandry (one woman with several men). However, polygyny means "many women" and leaves out the concept of marriage entirely. Hugh Hefner (Playboy magazine founder) has "many women" but he is not the husband of most of them. So, I avoid the use of the word altogether as it loses focus on the concept of marriage. Polyandry is completely non-existent in Hebrew thought. It would be called "adultery" and so I feel no need to distinguish between the two.

One last term to address is "Polyamory" which means "many loves" and usually refers to some group sex situation. This is not what this blog is about! Although a man can have "many loves" (within the context of marriages), I don't use the term to avoid confusion with perversion.

I hope this short explanation is adequate for those readers who are unfamiliar with the Hebrew Scriptures or the terms used in this blog. If I have failed to address anything that requires further explanation, please don't hesitate to contact me.